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Setting up an Archery

Range Updated March 2014

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How to set up an archery range Content:

Introduction ....................................................................................................... 2

Rules for designing a safe target archery range ............................................ 3-4

Outdoor shooting grounds ................................................................................. 4

Outdoor field orientation .................................................................................. 5

Outdoor field of play with safety zones ......................................................... 5-6

Outdoor field of play with reduced safety zones .......................................... 6-7

Indoor shooting range .................................................................................... 7-8

Field, Clout and Flight archery ..................................................................... 9-10

Setting out a competition target archery range ........................................ 10-12

Further reading ............................................................................................... 10

Introduction

Archery is practiced all over the world. As with other sports, a special area is needed for practice

and competition. Bow and arrows are part of the equipment of an archer; an archery range on a

flat level field is needed for the safe practice of target archery. In field archery the ground is

mostly far from level, however in this discipline there exist special rules for range layout. The

specialist disciplines of clout and flight archery have other requirements.

It is not sufficient to install a target somewhere and start shooting arrows. The range layout, the

procedure of shooting and the presence of a qualified supervisor are essential for the safe

conduct of our sport.

Note: This guidance has been prepared by Archery GB, the UK Governing Body, based on yardage

measurements. In the UK, metric rounds and rounds recognised by World Archery, the International

Federation, are also shot and for these the targets are set at metric distances.

This publication is guidance only and should not be considered as the Rules of Shooting. The following

guidelines are based upon Archery GB and World Archery recommended standards.

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Rules for designing a safe target archery range

Safety dictates the range layout. On a target archery range we erect one or more targets and

determine the place where the archers stand and from which to shoot their arrows. Between the

archer and the target is the so-called shooting range. It is obvious that during shooting, the range

has to be free of people, pets, and

obstacles.

Around the shooting range, it may be

possible to use the terrain to alleviate

many safety concerns, particularly in

providing natural backstops and

buffers.

In practice we want to shoot safely on

a range that allows more than one

archer to shoot close alongside each

other and at the same time.

To design an archery range that makes it possible to conduct archery safely, we have to recognise

the following prerequisites:

Point 1: There is a clearly visible straight line on the ground, called the shooting line. Archers must

shoot their arrows only when standing on or astride this line. Never allow people to stand ahead

of the shooting line. In target archery there is only one shooting line for all archers, even if they

are not shooting the same distances; targets may be placed at different distances for different

target lanes. There should be no access ahead of the shooting line while shooting is in progress.

Point 2: Archers shoot at the target directly opposite their shooting position.

Point 3: There is a definite time-slot for shooting and the archer may not raise the bow arm to

shoot until the signal to start shooting is given. Then there is a period for archers to go to the

targets, score and collect arrows. This pattern is then repeated throughout the session.

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The way to create time-slots for shooting is to use sound signals, for instance a whistle or an

electronic timing system. There should be one sound signal to go to the shooting line and to start

shooting, and two sound signals to stop shooting and to collect the arrows.

Point 4: Shooting will be in one direction only – at the designated target.

Point 5: Archers should aim continuously toward their target when drawing their bow. The bow

must not be drawn in such a way that if the string was accidentally released the arrow would fly

out of the safety zone.

These rules have to be followed at all times, whether practicing or at a tournament. They are the

preconditions for safe archery.

Outdoor shooting grounds

Operating standards contribute to the creation of a safe environment. They include minimum

spatial standards, site orientation, backstop, overshoot area, grass length, public access, changing

facilities and secure storage – all described in Archery GB and World Archery guidelines.

Outdoor shooting grounds should have the following as a minimum standard:

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•A grass sports field at least 124y long and 41y wide, where a back stop net is not used. Where a back stop net is used at keast 43y and 21y wide

2•Grass that is flat not sloped, short, well kept and well drained

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•A field that does not allow access to the general public except at specific and defined points

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•A fully accessible changing room, or club house which has toilets. This should be heated

5•A notice board or sign post where the archery club can advertise their activities

6•A secure storage area where archery equipment can be kept overnight

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(1) Overshoot distance, always at least 50y. In

addition the total distance from shooting line to overshoot line must be: At least 110y if targets are set at 60y or less. At least 150y if compound bows are used.

(2) 10y exclusion measurement to side of the shooting line.

(3) 20y exclusion measurement to side of range at 100y.

(4) Side safety zone width increases linearly to overshoot line

(5) Normal maximum target range is 100y.

Outdoor field orientation

In most cases, once a ground has been identified for use as an archery field, the range orientation

will be obvious and determined by the size and shape of the ground, the access point, buildings

and the like. However, if possible, the field orientation should prevent the archers from shooting

with the sun in their eyes. Ideally, in the northern hemisphere the shooting line should be on the

south side of the range and the targets on the north side, within +/- 20 degrees. This is to allow

the sun to be behind the archers most of the day.

Keep in mind that there are right-handed and left-handed archers, they face different ways when

on the shooting line. So the sun position during early morning or late evening shooting must be

considered.

Outdoor field of play layout, with safety zones

Figure 1 shows a practice archery field layout. (Additional

markings are required for tournaments.)

If archers are shooting different distances the targets

must be staggered not the shooting line;

- There should be a 5y space between the shooting line

and waiting archers;

- The measurements for the safety zones shown on each

side of this field are for experienced archers and novices

under instruction.

Overshoot Line

Shooting Line

Waiting Line

Side safety area

(5)

Target distances as required

(3)

(2) (2)

(3)

(1)

5y spacing between lines

Tent Line

(4) (4)

Figure 1

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There should be no dead ground in the overshoot area, which must always be clear during

shooting. Be aware that archers may still be behind the targets looking for arrows that missed

the target. Always check this before the signal to start shooting is given.

The exclusion areas each side of the range must be kept clear from all obstacles which could

obscure any potential

danger.

Outdoors, the spacing

between the targets should

be 8ft or more, allowing

space for 2 archers to shoot

comfortably side by side.

Each archer stands with one

foot either side of the

shooting line (or both feet on the line) to shoot their bow when the signal to start shooting has

been given.

Whilst archers are waiting to go to the shooting line they must stay behind the waiting line until

the signal is given to advance to the shooting line. When the archers have shot their required

number of arrows they must return back behind the waiting line. They wait there until the signal

is given to advance to the targets to retrieve their arrows. Never run on an archery range; always

walk to and from the targets to avoid any accidents or injuries.

Outdoor field of play with reduced safe zones

In a very few cases an archery field with the required measurements for safety is not available. It

may be possible however to reduce the exclusion zones beside and behind the archery range by

introducing physical barriers. In some cases we can use the natural features of the field to

reduce these areas.

From experience it is found that a barrier behind the target line does not have to be higher than

4 yards. When the distance between shooting line and target line is 100y, the further the barrier

is behind the targets, the lower the barrier can be. It is sometimes possible to use a natural hill

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or embankment behind the target line. A 4 yard high barrier is high enough. BUT it is essential

that the arrows cannot pass through this barrier.

Indoor shooting range

Sometimes an archery club can use a gymnasium or any similar convenient hall for their practice.

The usual advantage of an indoor venue is the comfort of the archers during the winter, although

once established, the area can be used any time. Sometimes a small surrounded safe outside

area can be used.

Indoor shooting venues should have the following as a minimum standard:

The most common indoor shooting distance is 20y (18m); the maximum distance recognised for

indoor shooting is 32y, but this may not be possible in all venues. The waiting line is normally 5y

from the shooting line; this distance may be reduced to 3y if the space available is restricted, but

safety must not be jeopardised. Behind the waiting line we need space for the archers’ shooting

equipment. Therefore the minimum total length required for an indoor range is about 30y.

Behind the targets there should be a safe arrow stop device, normally special backstop netting. A

backstop net is often used to ‘catch’ arrows and thus to protect both arrow and wall from

collision damage. This is obviously important in convincing venue managers/owners to make

1•A heated, well lit hall at least 25y long and 21y wide

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•A fully accessible changing room, or club house which has toilets. This should be heated

3•A notice board or sign post where the archery club can advertise their activities

4•A secure storage area where archery equipment can be kept overnight

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their premises available. Irrespective of the presence of a backstop net no-one must ever enter

this zone while shooting is in progress.

The netting should be attached along the top edge only, and hang loosely. This will give greater

stopping ability. Never rely on backstop netting to stop arrows if there is any activity going on

behind it. These curtains do deteriorate and with some high powered bows now available arrows

have been known to pass through them.

The following recommendations for an indoor venue should be observed.

Access to the range must only be possible from behind the shooting line. Any other

access should be locked during practice.

There must be access to all emergency exits, but if some are in front of the shooting line

entrance into the hall through these must be restricted.

There should be no windows or glass in the wall behind the target line that can be hit by

an arrow that misses the target.

An appropriate arrow stop can cover these windows.

In some multi-sport venues areas are separated by divisional curtains. It is unlikely that these

would stop an arrow. Either impenetrable barriers must be installed or there must be the same

side safety distances as use outdoors. Under no circumstances should there be any human

activity taking place behind the target area even if backstop netting is being used.

The number of targets indoors is usually dictated by the available width of the activity hall. Each

archer will need a minimum of 80cm of space when on the shooting line.

The normal target faces used indoors have diameters of 40cm and 60cm. The target butt should

be bigger than the target face, so that any arrows that just miss the face will still land in the

target butt.

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Field, Clout and Flight archery

These forms of archery have different, specialist requirements and those needing to set up

ranges for these disciplines are strongly recommended to consult archers with appropriate

experience.

The discipline of field archery differs from target archery in the sense that many different

shooting lanes are set out along a course spread out over the natural terrain, often within

woodland.

The shooting lanes must be set so that any arrows that miss the target will not travel into areas

that could be populated with other archers or spectators.

Targets should not be placed on top of a rise where an arrow that misses the target can travel to

an area that is not readily in view of the archer when they are standing in the shooting location.

The course must have safe paths to allow the officials and working staff to be able to move

around the field of play with safety.

Only those persons who have been given permission will be allowed on the course when

shooting is taking place, and they must keep to the safe paths at all times.

Field archery offers wonderful opportunities for archery, when there is no level terrain available.

An archer should have some moderate

experienced of shooting at a close target set

on level ground before turning to Field

archery. Field archery clubs should have a

safe and well defined practice area.

Clout archery has some similarities with

target archery: it is practised in a flat field

with something to aim at. In comparison

with target archery:

The target range is greater - up to

about 200y

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The side safety and overshoot distance requirements can be up to 75y

The target is a marked area of ground marked with a small flag

An archer must receive some specific training before clout shooting.

In Flight archery the intention is simply to shoot an arrow as far as possible. This naturally

requires a large controlled area, such as might be found in enclosed rural estates or inactive

airfields. If specialist flight bows are to be used, the range must be over 1000y long.

Setting out a competition target archery range

Competition ranges must be set out with accurate measurements. The range must also be

square. That is, the theoretical line between the mark on the shooting line and the centre of the

target must be perpendicular to the shooting line. If this is not the case, the archers will soon tell

you!

This squareness can be achieved with specialist equipment such as a theodolite. However, a tape

measure and a bit of basic geometry are all that is really needed, given the fact that any triangle

in which the sides are in the ratio 3:4:5 will have one angle that is a right angle.

For an outdoor range, look over the ground, pacing the distances to get a rough idea where the

range will sit.

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Figure 2 shows the marking layout as described below.

Set out the shooting line with a string and a peg at each end. Call the pegs A and B. Pegs should be easy to see.

Starting at peg A, measure 30y along the shooting line and fix a peg at that point, peg C.

Again starting from peg A, measure down the range 40y and temporarily put down a peg, peg D. Keep a tape measure between pegs A and D.

Set another tape between pegs C and D. Adjust the position of peg D until the distance A-D is 40y and the distance C - D is 50y. You now have a right angle at A.

Put a temporary string from A through D and along the range as far as the longest target distance required. Using peg A as the zero point, measure along the range and put a peg in at each distance required – pegs E, F, G etc.

Repeat the process from peg B at the other end of the shooting line, putting in pegs H and I to establish the right angle and then pegs J, K and L etc. along the range.

Put temporary strings across the range at each of the required target distances between pegs E and J, F and K, G and L.

Now mark the target positions and shooting positions. Work from one side of the range, say line A-G. Measure along the shooting line and along each target line and mark the shooting and target positions, normally every 10ft with pegs, paint or other marker.

Other lines across the range, either in front of or behind the shooting line positions, can be positioned by simple measurement from the shooting line.

The shooting line, waiting line and tent line must be marked, usually with proprietary white liner paint or similar. If strings are used as the line marker or otherwise retained on the range, they must be pegged at intervals to prevent a trip hazard.

Although there is no requirement to actually mark the target lines continuously across the field, this does make setting up the targets easier.

Shooting Line

Waiting Line

40

30

500

40

30

500

A B C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

L

K

Target and shooting positions

Marked line

Line need not be physically marked

Tent Line

Overshoot line

Figure 2 – Example layout

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Overshot and side safety distances are not marked on the ground, but there may be a need to rope these areas off.

For higher level competitions, additional lines may be required.

An indoor range can be set up in the same way, using chalk, floor tape or other markers. However, buildings are often square to start with, and floor patterns are often available to achieve the required square accuracy.

Further reading

Rules of Shooting, Archery GB

World Archery (FITA) Constitution and Rules

Archery GB Code of Practice - Have a Go’s

Archery GB Code of Practice - Archery Demonstration

Archery Facilities: Guidance and Specifications

National Target Archery Facility Strategy 2012-14

Archery GB is the trading name of the Grand National Archery Society, a company limited by guarantee no. 1342150 Registered in England.

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Archery GB Lilleshall National Sports Centre Newport Shropshire TF10 9AT

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